And Jackie, 84, died nine years to the day - on October 18 - after the most famous race horse in the world.

The Grainger family noticed the amazing coincidence when they were looking through cuttings about Red Rum's life.

Granddaughter Joanne Thistleton, 27, said: "I think grandad planned this. It's no accident that they died on the same day. They spent so much time together and now they're reunited. I think my grandad is riding Red Rum again up there."

Trainer Ginger McCain recruited Jackie as head lad in the 1970s and he was at the ringside when Ginger bought Red Rum for 6,000 guineas at Doncaster bloodstock sales in August 1972.

Jackie catered for the great steeplechaser's every need, from feeding and overseeing training on Southport sands to driving his horse box.

He would even hug Red Rum - affectionately nicknamed Rummy - to comfort or reassure him.

Under his care Red Rum won the 1973, 1974 and 1977 Grand Nationals and was runner-up in 1975 and 1976 - an unparalleled record.

Jackie's widow Sally, 84, said: "Working with horses was never hard work for him - they were his life. Jackie always used to say Red Rum was such a lovely horse.

"He was not that quick, but he just kept on going."

Great-grandfather Jackie's love of horses continued in his retirement. Red Rum's bridle hung on the wall above his favourite chair surrounded by photographs of the horse.

When Red Rum died at the age of 30 in 1995, Jackie stood at the graveside as he was buried near the Aintree winning post.

He sang "Old Red Rum's a Racehorse", which he wrote with lad Billy Ellison, but broke down with emotion and could not finish his tribute.

Jackie's father and grandfather all worked with horses and Jackie left school at 14 to follow in their footsteps. Starting as an apprentice stable boy he worked his way up to jockey.

During World War II he served at Dunkirk and in Burma, and raced for the Army in India.

Granddaughter Donna Webb said: "He talked horses' language - you had a mane rather than hair and if you were pregnant you were with foal. We were all brought up on Red Rum stories."

Jackie's funeral will take place next Wednesday at St Peter's church, Southport, and many famous faces from the world of horse racing will turn out to pay their respects, including Red Rum's jockey Brian Fletcher.

A horse-drawn carriage will bring Jackie to the church, his coffin draped in Red Rum's blanket, and two Shetland ponies will stand at the graveside.